A queston for brick and mortar book and record stores

Non food-related from the Summer of Anchower.*

I try as much as possible to support local and brick and mortar music and book shops. However, I've been increasingly frustrated w/ stores that beat the buy local, Independents do it w/o chains drum, etc, and then when you ask for a specific title, they say they don't have it, but are happy to order it for you. I recognize that inventory is expensive, and demand for some items is limited, but having wasted one trip in an effort to purchase a tangible piece of media from a real-estate-occupying entity, to be asked to stand there while your retailer orders it from the internet, and then to make another trip to same retail entity when the book/cd comes in has limited appeal. Indeed, this business model is like charging for handjobs, in that the service the business is providing can be obtained more conveniently at home, and at a competitive price.

I do not have an answer, and the beauty of a good record or book store lies in the browse, and the serendipity that can provide (here, the Amazon suggestion bot is like having Xzibit jab you in the shoulder: "Yo dawg, I heard you like rap music and books about meat -- check out 'Make Merguez at home with Sadat X"!) but something has to happen to make actual book and record stores more than glorified and inconvenient Amazon kiosks.
But some live VH as a peace offering to indicate my heart is still with the indies:

*Sometimes, Twittering about pretending to get drunk with your cat is more fun than blogging about food.

Comments

[Marco]

I try to patronize a local bookstore, but they are somewhat specialized. As for indie-cd stores, forget it.

[Paula]

I agree: the future of bookstores is in special markets.

[Chuck Ramsey]

My last trip to the local, quasi-independent record store began with, "Do you know what you want, 'cause I'm about to close?" As my wife jabbed my ribs, I responded, "Oh, I'll just order it off Amazon, sorry to bother you."

[Addison]

Wait. When you say "orders it from the internet" do you mean from Amazon, or through the distributor? And do you mean new or used books, CDs, records? A shade of distinction, but important moneywise. And I do think one long-term effect of the interthingy, especially in re: commerce, is impatience. I feel it anyway. I still don't understand why I cannot watch any movie I want at any time on my TV.

Oh and, you could just call ahead:

--Hi, uh, do you have that Buttholes album with the song about regret?

--Ah yes, Sweatloaf from 1987's Locust Abortion Technician. That is a good one. We do not have it in stock, but can order it for you. Or you could come in and pick up Nip Drivers on vinyl ... we have that. Also quite good.

[Marco]

@Addison, you can't watch any movie on TV at anytime because Time Warner, Cox and whomever are collecting X$ from your checking account each and every month. Why would they want that to change in your lifetime or mine? But there are peasants at the gates as I write this. So there is hope, given that technology doesn't get in the fucking way.